High-accuracy waveforms for binary black hole inspiral, merger, and ringdown

Mark A. Scheel, Michael Boyle, Tony Chu, Lawrence E. Kidder, Keith D. Matthews, and Harald P. Pfeiffer
Phys. Rev. D 79, 024003 – Published 7 January 2009

Abstract

The first spectral numerical simulations of 16 orbits, merger, and ringdown of an equal-mass nonspinning binary black hole system are presented. Gravitational waveforms from these simulations have accumulated numerical phase errors through ringdown of 0.1radian when measured from the beginning of the simulation, and 0.02radian when waveforms are time and phase shifted to agree at the peak amplitude. The waveform seen by an observer at infinity is determined from waveforms computed at finite radii by an extrapolation process accurate to 0.01radian in phase. The phase difference between this waveform at infinity and the waveform measured at a finite radius of r=100M is about half a radian. The ratio of final mass to initial mass is Mf/M=0.95162±0.00002, and the final black hole spin is Sf/Mf2=0.68646±0.00004.

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  • Received 9 October 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.79.024003

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Mark A. Scheel1, Michael Boyle1, Tony Chu1, Lawrence E. Kidder2, Keith D. Matthews1, and Harald P. Pfeiffer1

  • 1Theoretical Astrophysics 130-33, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
  • 2Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA

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Vol. 79, Iss. 2 — 15 January 2009

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